My blog used to be called Nappy Valley. But now I've moved to the dizzy heights of Crystal Palace (via a spell as an expat on Long Island, New York). And my Littleboys are long out of nappies.

Tuesday, 2 November 2010

Autumnal thoughts

1. Halloween's finally over. (I can't believe my last four posts have been about Halloween. Just goes to show how it dominates the whole of October here). The pumpkin bags are full of candy, and placed on top of a cupboard in the kitchen, to be produced solemnly once a day for a treat. Littleboy 1 has already worked out that if he pushes a chair over there and reaches up, he can almost topple the pumpkin off. It's only a matter of time.....

2. The autumn colours have been particularly spectacular this year on Long Island. I thought I was just misremembering last year, but then a few local people have confirmed it; this year the island's North Shore seems to have been tinged with the kind of deep ochres, scarlets and golds that are more common further up in New England. I am constantly wishing I had my camera with me as I drive down streets laden with golden leaves, which are now crunchily lining the sides of the streets in their thousands.

3. It's Election Day today. Those of you following the US midterm elections in the UK might know that the Democrats are being seriously threatened and that this will be a real test of Obama's popularity. There are also local elections taking place, eg. for the New York State Senate. If I was in the UK, I know that all my friends would be talking avidly about such an election. Here? None of the local friends I know has even mentioned it, let alone revealed what they think about the candidates. It's bizarre. Do Americans not like to discuss politics in social situations? Or is it just voter apathy...

4. Election Day seems to mean the boys get yet another day off school. In fact, I have worked out that Littleboy 1 gets seven whole days off in November - that's for Election, two parent-teacher conference days, Veterans Day and three days off at Thanksgiving. If it was a private school, I would be tempted to ask for a refund.

5. It's finally become chilly outside. That's the thing about this country - a balmy 21 celsius last week, and this week it's near to zero. I am still in denial, I think - I sent Littleboy 1 off to school in a cardigan and fleece yesterday, when he really should have been in a winter coat and gloves (not that he really seemed to notice). Time to get the ski clothes down from the attic.

6. Talking of which, we have decided to take both boys ski-ing at Christmas in Vermont. Which everyone tells me is freezing, freezing, freezing cold. So I am going to be on the LL Bean website ordering child-sized balaclavas very soon. I hope they serve good mulled wine in Vermont.

15 comments:

Hi Nappy Valley - occassional commenter - regular reader. I'm enjoying another election - taxation with no representation - I really need to sort out my citizenship. Listen to what everyone tells you about Vermont - it isn't Alpine skiing - bring your owen mulled wine and alot of long underwear, handwarmers. We go to Smuggs every year and the cold still knocks the breath out of me. However, we have the best time and the children (5 and 3) are better skiers than me - which really isn't that hard.

am on a downward bit of my roller coaster right now about moving to Seattle. Not sure I want to. It's so far and rainy. Am I mad? Am thinking East Coast US would be so much better but it's not an option. Sigh. I always read your posts in the hope that they'll tip me one way or the other. But right now they just make me want to move to Boston or Long Island.

Skiing in Bosnia was also freezing. We just wrapped them up well and made regular hot chocolate breaks. They loved it. So sad we're not going skiing this year (or ever again unless we win the lottery... sigh...)

Most of my American friends are very cautious about talking politics except with people they know very well and who they already know share their political opinions. I can think of one couple who are the exception to that rule - they are very vocal, and people think they're weird.

Over here the results look less than clear...not as bad as it could have been I guess...mind you I think he may be another Blair...all talk and no action...jealous about your skiing, we may well not make it this year

There's good coverage of the midterms here..maybe because no-one is really interested in our coalition anymore! Apologies in advance, I've named you over at my blog. Take part/ignore as you wish. Good procrastination tool x

I'm so happy I found your blog. It's fabulous! I'm so envious of your being in NY while I'm in London. The photo of NYC is fantastic by the way. I missed Halloween and all the hubbub that surrounds it. Brace yourself for the rest of the holidays. My favourite time in NY was October through January. It's a magical time. Enjoy it. And blog about it so I can live vicariously!

Funny, here in SF we love to talk politics. Of course we are all in vehement agreement about how nuts the rest of the country is, and bemoaning the fall of prop 19, which would have legalized pot in California!

HOM, Seattle is fantastic. It is not even rainier than the UK, summers are much warmer and it is so beautiful, really fun, has lovely restaurants, a great aquarium, great for kids. Its my second favourite US city after San Francisco.

Growing up on LI I would say there is probably a lot of voter apathy - I'd like to think this is slowly changing but I don't know! There are plenty who do talk politics though, but you may need to root them out!

Enjoy your skiing adventure. I may be skiing in the US for a day over New Years. It would be my second time ever. The main type of skiing I did as I kid was on cross country skiis at the golf course in our area. Yes, we did that, cringe...

About Me

I'm a business journalist, wife to The Doctor and mother to two boys. I left London's 'Nappy Valley' in 2009 for a four year sojourn in New York. Now I'm back in South London, settling into British life once again and trying not to miss the yellow schoolbus too much as I grapple with the school run.